Connie and the gang are back for a brand-new science adventure – and this time, they’re setting sail on a very special mission! 🚢🔬
Becoming citizen scientists
In ‘A Big Bad Bacteria Busting Adventure’, Connie and the gang set sail on a very special laboratory boat, where they’re joined by their friend Liv from the cystic fibrosis community.
Liv introduces them to cystic fibrosis (CF) – a condition that some people are born with, which causes mucus and other liquids in the body to become thick and sticky. This can make it harder to clear bacteria from the lungs and can lead to serious infections.
The gang learn about the bacteria that can make people with cystic fibrosis sick, as well as superbugs – bacteria that have become resistant to some medicines. They also discover phages, tiny viruses that can attack bacteria, and learn how scientists are exploring their potential to fight infections.
Dr Christian: Phages are picky, each one only beats certain kinds of bacteria; they don’t work on every bacteria.
Liv: So, we need to find as many phages as we can?
Dr Sian: That’s right. You can find them in water anywhere in the world, especially if it’s still or smelly, they love hiding out there…
Connie: Oh, that’s why the lab’s inside a boat!
Pat: So you can travel around looking for them?
Dr Sian: Exactly, you just say where you want to go, and it sets sail!
But when Connie accidentally creates a superbug that just keeps growing, the gang need to find a phage that can defeat it!
With plenty of adventure, silliness and a few unexpected surprises along the way, this adventure introduces young Adventurers to cystic fibrosis, phage research and the exciting world of science.
How we made the adventure 💛
This three-part adventure was co-created with the Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub, bringing together children and young people from the cystic fibrosis community, our Hearts & Minds group, scientists and creatives.
We ran online creative workshops with children and young people from the CF community, who shared their lived experience, ideas and creativity to help shape the adventure. Their contributions helped us think about how to bring the science to life in a way that would be engaging and meaningful for young listeners.
Liv also joined us for a workshop with our Hearts & Minds group, sharing her lived experience of cystic fibrosis and helping the group to develop the episode.
By bringing these different voices together, we were able to combine lived experience, scientific knowledge and creativity to create an adventure that explores cystic fibrosis and phage research through the world of Armchair Adventures.
The adventure continues…
Connie and the gang’s hunt for the right phage is far from over!
In Part 2, they’ll continue their search, travelling to new places and testing more water samples as they try to find the perfect match for the superbug.
But finding the phage is only half the challenge…
In Part 3, Connie and the gang will have to put their new phage to the test when they finally come face-to-face with the big bad superbug.
But will their new phage be able to defeat the big bad superbug?
🎧 Listen to Part 1 of ‘A Big Bad Bacteria Busting Adventure’ now, and join Connie and the gang for the next stage of their phage-finding adventure in Parts 2 and 3!
About Armchair Adventures
Armchair Adventures is a multi-award-winning podcast for kids – aged 6-8. It’s super-fun, educational and interactive – meaning it’s packed with sing and move-along activities!
Each episode is a new adventure of your imagination with Connie her gang of explorers – including you! Adventures include exploring a superhero lair, ballroom dancing and diving into a coral reef! Every episode also has an educational message for our mini adventurers like climate change, racial equality and recycling.
Armchair Adventures won Bronze at The British Podcast Awards 2022, has been profiled on BBC Radio 4’s Podcast Hour, in Podbible, featured on Podcast Radio, commended by HRH Prince William and is the first kids podcast available in-flight on all Virgin Atlantic flights!